Top ZNA officer issues fake docs

The document, a copy of which is in the possession of The Zimbabwean, is written on Ministry of Defence letterheads and is titled “Proof of Residence”. It states: “This letter serves to confirm that …………………. ID ……………………… is employed by the Defence Forces Headquarter and resides at the same place, Private Bag 7713, Causeway.” It is signed: “C. Muresherwa ‘psc’ ZW, Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Officer”. It could not be established at the time of going to press whether any soldiers had actually been able to use this letter to register to vote, as the regulations say postal boxes are not admissible.

According to the Electoral Amendment Act, people who wish to register as voters must accompany their applications with proof of residence in the form of rates bills or letters from landlords, chiefs or employers. Even though a significant number of soldiers live in barracks, private bags are obviously not residential addresses.

Highly placed sources within the ZNA alerted The Zimbabwean to the fact that photocopies of the letter, with the name of the aspiring voting soldier being left blank, were being collected last week from the Defence Houser orderly room in central Harare.

They described it as a “blank cheque” open to widespread abuse, as anyone could use the letter to register in a constituency of his or her choice.

“Every soldier here was instructed to collect as many forms as possible and put them to good use as soon as possible. They were ordered to submit confirmation of registration as a voter to army authorities by end of this week,” said the sources.

Despite being a member of the ZNA, whose regulations criminalise participation in active politics by all staff, Muresherwa is reported to be an aspiring MP for Zanu (PF). He failed in a bid to run in Manicaland province in 2008

This newspaper reported last week that soldiers were being forced to register as voters and those without proof of doing so were being turned away from their workplaces or barracks.

“There are reports that those registered by way of the army letters will be compelled to cast their vote at specific polling centres. No one has the privilege to vote from wherever he so wishes”.

“The idea is to concentrate the vote at polling stations situated in constituencies where senior army officials will be contesting as candidates,” claimed one of the high ranking sources.

When contacted for comment, Muresherwa confirmed the letters originated from his office at Defence Forces headquarters but initially said they were exclusively issued to serving members. He phoned this reporter some 20 minutes later and admitted his office issued photocopies of the letters last Friday. “My juniors have confirmed having issued photocopies of the letter last Friday during my absence. This could be where the letter in your possession came from,” he said.

ZDF spokesperson, Colonel Overson Mugwisi confirmed the letters were fake. “The army does not issue letters to prove residence. Are you aware that Defence House is at the centre of Harare while the army headquarters is at KGIV Barracks where no soldier has permanent residence? How can one be issued with a letter as proof of residence in this respect? My office is at Defence House where the letters are reportedly emanating from. How come I am not aware of that?” said Mugwisi.

When asked about his political interests in the 2013 elections, Muresherwa he had not given it a thought. “This time around I am not contesting as a candidate for any political office. As you might be aware I was interested in contesting in 2008 – but was a victim of intra-party foul play. Some colleagues in Zanu (PF) manipulated the candidate selection process,” he said.

Villagers from Chimanimani confirmed that Muresherwa was an aspiring candidate in the area. Several senior army and police officers have made no secret of their political ambitions for both legislative and senatorial seats in the coming election.